Dionysus Sousa remembered as a fundamental figure of Azorean autonomy

A Junta de Freguesia da Vila de São Sebastião, in Angra do Heroísmo, Azores, today considered that the former president of the Azorean parliament Dionysius Sousa, who died Thursday, was “one of the fundamental figures of growth and solidification” of autonomy.

Dionysio Mendes de Sousa, native to the parish of Vila de São Sebastião, in the municipality of Angra do Heroísmo, on Terceira Island, died on Thursday, at the age of 86.

“Dr. Dionysio was one of the fundamental figures of the growth and solidification of autonomy in our region, with a long and valuable path of participation in the Legislative Assembly of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, and was also its president between 1996 and 1998,” he stressed the locality in a note published on social networks.

The municipality recalls Dionysius Sousa as “a Sebastian who has adopted, in recent years, the saga of the elevation of figures of the Vila de São Sebastião”.

“ Through a tireless and rigorous investigation and an accumulating use of the written word, Dr. Dionysius published numerous books, which made, make and will continue other valuable Sebastians”, he said.

According to the parish junta, throughout his life, Dionysio Sousa “highened and celebrated the name and history of the village of São Sebastião, whose hymn was author of the letter” and deserves “recognition and gratitude”.

The PS of Terceira Island also issued a statement expressing “deep regret” for the death of Dionysius Sousa.

“There are people whose path goes beyond the positions they have held and remain in the history of the institutions and communities they have served. Dionysio Mendes de Sousa was undoubtedly one of these figures ", says.

The secretariat of the island Terceira do PS recalls that Dionysio Sousa “dedicated much of his life to the public cause, to the defense of autonomy and to the consolidation of democracy in the Azores” and, for the positions he held, leaves “a mark that is unavoidable in the history of Azorean socialism and in the affirmation of the autonomous institutions”.

“ More than the positions he held, is the example of a man who believed in democracy, socialist values and politics as an instrument of service to people and the region ", said.

For the party, the island Terceira “lose one of its sons of reference, the Socialist Party loses a striking figure in its history and the Azores lose a dedicated defender of autonomy and democracy”.

“But the legacy of a life of commitment remains, which will continue to inspire future generations,” concluded the PS/Third.

Born in the parish of São Sebastião on Terceira Island, Dionysio Sousa graduated in philosophy and was a secondary school teacher.

He was a member of the Legislative Assembly between 1980 and 2004 and held the presidency of the parliamentary group of the PS between 1982 and 1992.

In 1996, he became the first socialist deputy to take over the presidency of the Legislative Assembly of the Azores, which he held until 1998.

Dionysius Sousa was also president of the PS/Açores and integrated several party bodies at regional and national level, having actively participated in the local life of Angra do Heroísmo.

It was also highlighted by the publication of articles in newspapers and works dedicated to the history and evolution of autonomy.

In 2014, he published “Axis sobre a Autonomia” and, in 2017, “Autonomia – 40 Years: Omens and Perspectives”, which he wrote with the former presidents of the Legislative Assembly Álvaro Monjardino and José Guilherme Reis Leite.

He received the Grand Cross of the Order of Infante D. Henrique in 2001 and the Autonomic Insignia of Valor in 2006.